The Middle East crisis is pushing also Lebanon to the bring of the abyss – YMCA Finland supports YMCA Lebanon in providing humanitarian aid

 

1.10.2024
Martiina Woodson

 

The escalation of Israeli and Hezbollah attacks has caused a large-scale wave of internal displacement inside Lebanon. According to the country’s Ministry of Health, an estimated one million people have already been displaced. YMCA Lebanon has launched a relief operation, which is supported by YMCA Finland with its humanitarian fundraising.

 

Donate: FI48 1025 3000 2535 94, NDEAFIHH
Fundraising permission  RA/2023/980­
 

 

The spread of the Middle East crisis affects the entire population of Lebanon

Missile attacks between Israel and the Hezbollah armed wing in southern Lebanon have continued since the beginning of the Gaza crisis. Fears of a spillover into neighbouring countries were realised at the end of September when Israel launched more extensive strikes deep into Beirut and along the border with Syria.

In less than a week, the crisis has displaced an estimated one million people inside the country. As the attacks escalate, more and more people are displaced from their homes, putting a huge strain on the already fragile economy and society of a small country struggling with a socio-economic crisis. The acuteness of the situation is evident on the capital’s streetsides and beaches, where entire families with small children are sheltering in the open. As of 1 October, at least 1700 people are reported dead or injured.

 

YMCA Lebanon has launched a humanitarian effort

Our Lebanese YMCA partner has developed a plan, the first phase of which will focus on IDPs and their most basic needs. The YMCA will provide IDPs with medicines and first aid supplies, clean water, food, hygiene kits, and shelter such as tarps, mattresses, and blankets.

In addition to its staff, the YMCA is carrying out the humanitarian operation with the help of 100 volunteers who are supporting the distribution of aid and providing psychosocial support to the displaced. The targeting of aid avoids duplication with other actors and aims to identify those most in need. The focus is on people in temporary shelters, large families with low income, and families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged by bombing. YMCA Lebanon is working with other actors in the local community, such as churches and mosques, to coordinate aid.

 

The local NGO is the first on the spot in a crisis

YMCA Lebanon has experience of working amid crises, having been active in the country since the 1890s, including through the 15-year civil war. In the months following the devastating harbour explosion in Beirut in 2020, YMCA Lebanon also carried out a relief operation, supported by YMCA Finland together with Felm, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission and Filantopia, the Orthodox Church Aid and Missions.

A trusted position in a society divided in many ways helps YMCA Lebanon to respond to the humanitarian crisis. The organisation’s inclusive approach takes into account the cultural diversity of the population, including people from different religious backgrounds and the needs of vulnerable groups in particular.

YMCA Lebanon manages the distribution of medicines for chronic diseases with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO). In Beirut, the YMCA maintains a warehouse for the long-term treatment of more than 60 diseases, from which medicines are distributed to a total of 520 health centres and pharmacies throughout the country.

The capacity of humanitarian aid, and in particular the skills of volunteers, has also benefited from the long-standing partnership between YMCA Finland and YMCA Lebanon.

 

You too can help by donating

YMCA Lebanon has a strong capacity to respond to the challenging situation in the country. YMCA Finland will direct the donated funds to the relief efforts of our trusted partner, without any repayment. You can donate via our website or donate to account FI48 1025 3000 2535 94 (BIC: NDEAFIHH) by writing “Lebanon Relief” in the message field

Contact us

Milla Nummenmaa
International Programme Manager, YMCA Finland
milla.nummenmaa@ymca.fi
+358 40 867 1609

YMCA Finland. We build peace and a better future together with young people and our YMCA partners in Finland and around the world. Our member associations in 30 localities carry out a wide range of work with children and young people.

We work in development cooperation with local YMCA partners in Africa and the Middle East. Since 2023, we have been supporting humanitarian work in Ukraine.

Founded in 1844, the non-profit, non-partisan YMCA movement is one of the largest youth organisations in the world. We reach 65 million people in over 120 countries.